Configurable vehicle console

Abstract

Methods and systems for a configurable vehicle console are provided. Specifically, a configurable console may comprise one or more displays that are capable of receiving input from a user. At least one of these displays may be removed from the console of a vehicle and operated as a stand-alone computing platform. Moreover, it is anticipated that each one or more of the displays of the console may be configured to present a plurality of custom applications that, when manipulated by at least one user, are adapted to control functions associated with a vehicle and/or associated peripheral devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of configuring a vehicle control system graphical user interface (“GUI”) to display a plurality of vehicle applications, comprising:
 displaying, at a first time, a plurality of applications in a first presentation layout on at least a first GUI, wherein the plurality of applications are configured to communicate with at least one vehicle function associated with each application; 
 receiving a first input at the at least a first GUI, wherein the first input corresponds to an instruction to alter the first presentation layout to a second presentation layout, wherein the first presentation layout corresponds to a first position and behavior of each application of the displayed plurality of applications on the at least a first GUI and the second presentation layout corresponds to a second position and behavior of each application different from the first presentation layout; 
 selecting, by a processor, the second presentation layout to display on the at least a first GUI; 
 sending, by a processor, a command to display the second presentation layout on the at least a first GUI; and 
 displaying, at a second time, the second presentation layout on the at least a first GUI. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a second input at the at least a first GUI, wherein the second input manipulates at least one control associated with at least one application of the plurality of applications;   determining, by a processor, a vehicle function to control based on the second input; and   controlling the determined vehicle function based on the second input.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first input comprises a movement from a first position on the at least a first GUI to a second position on the at least a first GUI. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein altering the first presentation layout to the second presentation layout includes adding at least one application to be displayed on the at least a first GUI. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein altering the first presentation layout to the second presentation layout includes removing at least one application from being displayed on the at least a first GUI. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle functions include one or more of the climate system, audio system, mechanical features, electrical features, trip computer, associated phone, map and guidance system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, one or more signals sent from a plurality of sensing elements associated with a vehicle;   interpreting, by a processor, the one or more signals to determine whether an emergency event has occurred;   determining that an emergency event has occurred; and   displaying, automatically, an emergency identifier on the at least a first GUI.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the interpretation step further comprises:
 referring to a memory, wherein the memory stores rules that define a plurality of signal conditions corresponding to an emergency event.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the emergency identifier is displayed as a third presentation layout on the at least a first GUI. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the emergency identifier is displayed over at least one of the first and second presentation layout on the at least a first GUI. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein an appearance of at least one of the first and second presentation layout is altered to emphasize the display of the emergency identifier. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 displaying automatically one or more interactive emergency elements on the at least a first GUI, wherein at least one of the one or more interactive emergency elements is configured to control a device associated with the vehicle.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the controlled at least one device is communication hardware. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the emergency identifier is displayed on a second GUI. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, perform the method comprising:
 displaying, at a first time, a plurality of applications in a first presentation layout on at least a first GUI, wherein the plurality of applications are configured to communicate with at least one vehicle function associated with each application;   receiving a first input at the at least a first GUI, wherein the first input corresponds to an instruction to alter the first presentation layout to a second presentation layout, wherein the first presentation layout corresponds to a first position and behavior of each application of the displayed plurality of applications on the at least a first GUI and the second presentation layout corresponds to a second position and behavior of each application different from the first presentation layout;   selecting, by a processor, the second presentation layout to display on the at least a first GUI;   sending, by a processor, a command to display the second presentation layout on the at least a first GUI; and   displaying, at a second time, the second presentation layout on the at least a first GUI.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving a second input at the at least a first GUI, wherein the second input manipulates at least one control associated with at least one application of the plurality of applications;   determining, by a processor, a vehicle function to control based on the second input; and   controlling the determined vehicle function based on the second input.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving, one or more signals sent from a plurality of sensing elements associated with a vehicle;   interpreting, by a processor, the one or more signals to determine whether an emergency event has occurred;   determining that an emergency event has occurred; and   displaying, automatically, an emergency identifier on the at least a first GUI.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:
 displaying automatically one or more interactive emergency elements on the at least a first GUI, wherein at least one of the one or more interactive emergency elements is configured to control a device associated with the vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . A device for configuring a vehicle control system graphical user interface (“GUI”) to display a plurality of vehicle applications, comprising:
 a first GUI including a first display area; 
 a first input gesture area of the first display; 
 a vehicle signal input/output port, wherein the vehicle signal input/output port is configured to receive and send signals to and from a plurality of vehicle controls; 
 a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, perform the method comprising: 
 displaying, at a first time, a plurality of applications in a first presentation layout on the first GUI, wherein the plurality of applications are configured to communicate with vehicle functions that are associated with each application; 
 receiving a first input at the first GUI, wherein the first input corresponds to an instruction to alter the first presentation layout to a second presentation layout, wherein the first presentation layout corresponds to a first position and behavior of each application of the displayed plurality of applications on the first GUI and the second presentation layout corresponds to a second position and behavior of each application different from the first presentation layout; 
 selecting, by a processor, the second presentation layout to display on the first GUI; 
 sending, by a processor, a command to display the second presentation layout on the first GUI; and 
 displaying, at a second time, the second presentation layout on the first GUI. 
 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising a second GUI including a second display area.